Redefines Documentary Form, Fascinates
A24 Films
Dan Bennett – Rarely does a documentary join the party this soon in the story, or this late, depending on your perspective.
“You Can See Everything” is the highly original documentary from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim that threatens to make the documentary itself part of the story, and then does just that with fascinating nuance.
The big-picture story is that of Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos founder convicted of defrauding investors about the capability of her company’s allegedly industry-changing blood-testing technology.
The road to her prison sentence was highly publicized and attracted relentless news coverage, and even a Hulu miniseries centered on Holmes and her deception. What few could imagine tailing the media storm is a just-released documentary that begins 34 days before Holmes starts her prison sentence, with an up-close and deeply personal look at Holmes, her husband, and children spending time together in their Del Mar, CA. rental home as they prepare for her to begin her prison sentence in Texas.
From the start, co-director Fielder inserts himself into the family home as a relentless interrogator, given to moments of sympathy and understanding. His approach allows us new insight into Holmes’ much-discussed and analyzed psychology, which became almost a pop culture phenomenon, resulting even in a dramatized Hulu miniseries. Is Holmes acting, or is it sincerity, or is it self-delusion when she claims the words she used to advocate for her product were actually the truth?It’s fascinating to watch Holmes let her thoughts fly in what we must remind ourselves is a documentary.
As important to the story is Billy, the stalwart husband and father who is a loyalist, with evolving intentions.
Consider any confusion about what the documentary is part of its originality, as the puzzle falls into place. “You Can See Everything” is a shape-shifting, riveting documentary that also relies heavily on performance. The nearly three-hour effort is fast-moving and spellbinding, unlike few, if any, that have come before it.
“You Can See Everything” A
Directors: Nathan Fielder, Lance Oppenheim
Rated: R (for language and nudity)
Runtime: 2 hours, 52 minutes
Now playing in theaters
